Meta, the parent company of social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, has confirmed that it is blocking European Union (EU) users from accessing its new social network, Threads, through a virtual private network (VPN). Users in Europe who try to sign up for Threads using a VPN will experience issues with loading content, notifications, and profiles. Although some users have reported being able to use Threads without a VPN if they had previously signed up with one, this could be seen as a loophole and may not be a reliable solution.
In response to the access restrictions, Meta has stated that it is taking “further measures” to prevent access to Threads in European countries where the app is unavailable. However, the company emphasized that Europe remains a “very important market” for them and expressed its intention to expand availability in the future. However, no specific timeline was provided for these rollouts. It should be noted that the app is currently in its early stages and is lacking important features such as hashtags.
At present, Threads is available to users in over 100 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom but not in the EU. The EU considers Meta to be a technology “gatekeeper” in the region and wants to ensure that Threads’ data-sharing approach complies with the upcoming Digital Markets Act. As Threads is built on Instagram’s infrastructure, it may import data from that platform. Additionally, Meta has been required by the EU to obtain permission to display personalized ads, which could further complicate its operations.
There is growing pressure for Meta to expand the availability of Threads. The social network amassed 100 million users within a week of its launch and is already being regarded as a significant threat to Twitter. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has noted that the growth so far has primarily been “organic,” without the need for advertising or other conventional promotional strategies. While it remains uncertain whether the usage of Threads will be sustained in the long term, expanding the availability of the app to the EU could help maintain its momentum. Analysts believe that Twitter’s traffic has already started to decline as users either experiment with or switch to Threads.
In conclusion, Meta has blocked EU users from accessing Threads through a VPN, citing issues with content loading, notifications, and profiles. The company aims to prevent access to the app in European countries where it is unavailable and has expressed its desire to expand availability in the future. Threads has gained significant traction, amassing millions of users within a week, and is already posing a threat to Twitter. However, Meta faces regulatory challenges in the EU regarding data-sharing and personalized ads. Expanding into the EU market could sustain the growth of Threads, with the potential for increased user traffic and engagement.
